Source: (2004) Mercer Law Review. 56(2):745-757.
But societies do not stay still. Martin Luther King is owed a debt of
gratitude by the United States, and by the whole world, for the moral
lead he gave race and tolerance. But the issues he raised about the
relationship between governments and their citizens are just as valid
today. It is an iron rule of policy and politics that as soon as govern-
ments meet one challenge, changes in society mean that new ones arise.
In this Lecture, I want to talk about how the English criminal justice
system is changing to keep up with society. I should explain that I come
to this lecture wearing two hats. I am lucky enough to be the Govern-
ment Minister charged with modernizing the criminal justice system.
Few challenges are so engrossing, few political mandates so charged, few
chalices so poisoned. But I am also a lawyer-for twenty-two years I
went to court on a daily basis. I became a Government Minister in 1999.
Since then, I suppose I have been responsible for helping to formulate
our law. The law is in my blood, and its core values of equity and
fairness are my core values too.
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